SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The holiday season is fast approaching and Downtown South Bend is celebrating all December long with the return of Downtown for the Holidays, presented by the AEP Foundation.

This year, community members can join in on the celebration in a number of ways.

Expert and amateur gingerbread builders alike are invited to enter Santa's Gingerbread Village Competition. Participants are tasked with creating a house of their own by November 30 to be put on display for enjoyment and judging from December 2 through 24 inside the lobby at the Courtyard by Marriott downtown.

Prizes are awarded based on five categories: non-professional child, non-professional adult, non-professional family or group, professional, and people's choice.

Judging takes place on December 17. Click here for more information.

If you aren't too keen on architecture, join Downtown South Bend for its sixth annual DTSB Holiday Light Parade, set to take place at 7 p.m. on December 9 along Jefferson Boulevard.

The parade will include holiday-themed floats and walking units. Residents, organizations, and businesses interested in participating can click here to apply online. The deadline to apply is December 1.

Community members interested in watching the parade can click here to learn more.

New to the celebrations this year is the DTSB Festival of Trees. For $100, individuals, organizations, and businesses can sponsor and decorate a tree downtown. All trees are real and will be located in the flower bowls set up around downtown.

Tree sponsorships help fund Downtown for the Holidays programming, which includes the light parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and visits with Santa.

Email [email protected] to claim a tree. 

For more information on everything happening downtown this holiday season, visit Downtown South Bend's website.